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US and Israel successfully test David’s Sling missile defense system

Newly advanced David’s Sling to be operational this year; Tests carried out over the week in Israel; New multi-missile radar technology successful

Both Israel and the United States successfully completed testing of an advanced David’s Sling missile defense system.

It is the system’s fifth-joint testing, both the US Missile Defense Agency and Israel’s Missile Defense Organization reporting the tests successful on Wednesday after days of testing in Israel.

David’s Sling, also known as the “Magic Wand”, is a missile interceptive system used for mid-range rockets. David’s Sling can intercept rockets and aircraft, including drones, with a range of up to 125 miles. The system is an “advanced multi-mission, multi-platform interceptor designed for insertion into integrated air and missile defense systems.”

David’s Sling is one of three defense systems designed to defend Israel against rocket attacks. The Iron Dome system protects against short to medium-range rockets , the Arrow 3 missile defense system which can intercept rockets beyond earth’s atmosphere with high altitude capabilities. It can intercept more than five ballistic missiles within 30 seconds after its launch and can reach altitudes as far as over 62 miles.

Israel’s Defense Ministry and the Israel Air Force confirmed that the system will be operational this year and that the recently added multi-missile radar technology as a success. The Ministry stated “During the series of tests, after incoming missile detection, the MMR (multi-missile radar) located the targets and transferred the data to the central firing program, which calculated interception protocols.”

The US Missile Defense Agency confirmed that the “The success of the test is part of the development on the future threat deterrence system,” and that the “interceptors were successfully launched, performed all flight phases and engaged the targets as planned. Preliminary analysis indicates that test objectives were successfully achieved.”

Last week Israel received its first anti-missile interceptors for the Arrow 3 missile defense system. The Arrow 3 has been in development by both the Israel Aerospace Industries and the US Missile Defense Agency. Both Israel’s Defense Ministry and the US Missile Defense Agency delivered the first shipment of advanced rockets to the Israel Defense Forces last Wednesday.